How to Make Ricotta

Fresh ricotta cheese is one of those things that seem to have a whiff of highbrow fanciness, so most people wouldn't think of making it themselves—but it's actually really easy.

How easy? Just warm some milk and cream, add vinegar and stir once, let it sit, scoop out the ricotta that floats to the top, and let the cheese strain. True ricotta is made with whey, the watery byproduct of cheesemaking. Since whey is difficult to find, our recipe uses a combination of whole milk and cream, which makes a rich, delicious-tasting homemade ricotta. And once you've made the cheese, you can do fancy things with it like make lemon ricotta pancakes. Or try any of the recipes below.